Team USA clinches spot in world junior playoffs

The defending champs blew past Germany to improve their record to 3-0 in Sweden.

December 29, 2013 — 9:03pm

U.S. forward Ryan Hartman celebrated a goal as the puck slid past Germany goaltender Patrick Klein, one of four for the Americans in the second period Sunday. FRANK GUNN Canadian Press via Associated Press

MALMO, Sweden – Notre Dame's Vince Hinostroza helped the defending champion United States wrap up a spot in the playoff round in the world junior hockey tournament, scoring twice and adding two assists in an 8-0 victory over Germany on Sunday.

Boston University's Matt Grzelcyk had a goal and two assists. The United States (3-0) will finish Group A play Tuesday against Canada (1-0-1).

"For the most part, we played the game the right way," said U.S. coach Don Lucia, the coach of the Gophers. "We didn't get sloppy. We had a lot of puck possession time and we were unselfish with it."

The United States had six power-play goals, four in the second period. Gophers freshman Hudson Fasching scored, as did Wisconsin's Nic Kerdiles and Will Butcher, Riley Barber of Miami (Ohio) and Boston College's Steve Santin.

Anthony Stolarz — the Edison, N.J., goalie who plays for the London Knights in the Ontario Hockey League — stopped all 15 shots he faced.

"It was a pretty easy game," Stolarz said. "They didn't get many scoring opportunities and the defense did a good job of keeping the shots to the outside. We played really disciplined."

Germany dropped to 0-3.

In Group B, Andre Burakowsky had three goals in Sweden's 10-0 victory over Norway. Sweden improved to 3-0, and Norway dropped to 0-3.

James Johnson scored a career-high 31 points, Kelly Olynyk added 30 off the bench and the Miami Heat set a franchise single-game scoring record by beating the Denver Nuggets 149-141 in double overtime Monday night.